<p>I was under the impression that the scoring works like this:</p>
<p>49 raw points for MC (1 per ?)
24 raw points for essay (out of 6 x 2 x 2)</p>
<p>So I don't how somehow w/ a 80 grammar + 9 essay gets an 800
This would be 49 + 18 = 68</p>
<p>While someone who had -3 grammar + 12 essay gets 770
This would be 45 + 24 = 69</p>
<p>Confused. =/</p>
<p>The essay points don't equate to raw points on the MC sections that easily...the scoring grid for any given test is all about tweaking the normal distribution curve depending on how well people did on that administration. It would seem that the College Board gave more importance to the MC this time around. Sorry I can't be more specific, but they don't actually release their scoring methodology for each test (at least not that I could find.)</p>
<p>I would be that second person mentioned. I don't get it either, and I think it is kind of unfair. The difference between a 9 essay and a 12 essay is far greater than that between getting 3 multiple choice wrong, or 0</p>
<p>I agree with you guys...but I'm not the squirrely little number crunching weasel who makes those decisions. (I'm a totally different kind of squirrely little weasel...or whatever)</p>
<p>This kind of issue is one reason lots of colleges are going to mostly ignore Writing scores this year.</p>
<p>On the other hand, though an 800 would be great, a 770 completely, totally rocks, so don't get too worked up about it...</p>
<p>PeteSAT - the information from CB said that the math and critical reading scores correlate with the old math and verbal, but that the new writing score does NOT correlate with the old SATII writing test. Do you think this will add more confusion to colleges? It certainly seems like colleges would automatically assume there is a correlation with the old writing SATII - and will the CB come out with some sort of table of correlation in time for schools to properly evaluate the scores for next year's students? If there is a big difference between the old and new, it would sure be nice for the kids to know now rather than after it's too late to retake.</p>
<p>I doubt that the CB will come out with a correlation between old and new Writing scores. And, yes, I think it does add more confusion for colleges, and that some of them <em>will</em> probably assume that the scores correlate.</p>
<p>The real problem for the CB, I believe, is the size of the pool and the caliber of the students who take/have taken the two Writing tests. Everybody is taking the new test, but mostly top students applying to top schools that required SAT IIs took the old tests. It is hard to correlate those scores.</p>
<p>Anyone who got their March SAT scores probably noticed that the CB didn't even release mean scores for the Writing test (maybe because they hadn't finished scoring everything, I don't know) and that has to be a red flag for schools.</p>
<p>My guess is, if you did well on the old SAT II Writing, most schools will probably use that score as much as the new score...but that's just a guess.</p>
<p>Still, if you really bombed the New SAT Writing section and think you can do significantly better, hey, take it again.</p>
<p>I know that "bombing" is in the eye of the beholder, but would you advise retaking a 680?</p>
<p>A.S.A.P.,</p>
<p>Did you take the old SAT II Writing, and if so, how'd you do? What were your Multiple Choice subscore and your Essay score? How are your other SAT I scores?</p>
<p>What kind of schools are you thinking of applying to?</p>
<p>And as importantly, do you think you can improve your score by, say 40 points? (I know it's impossible to know, but how do you feel?)</p>
<p>Remember, 680 is a <em>very</em> good score, but not outstanding.</p>
<p>Thanks for the response, Pete. Actually, it's my son's score - we were all pretty happy with it, as the M and CR are in the 99th percentile.
Counselor suggested he retake for the writing. He'll be applying to Berkeley, WashU, UCSD, and perhaps more UCs, as well as maybe Dart and/or Cornell. He did not take the SATII writing last year, unfortunately. He probably could bring his writing score up, as he missed on the MC questions, and I think he could study for that. Is it worth it?</p>
<p>A.S.A.P.,</p>
<p>His scores now are <em>probably</em> completely fine. The only reason I would lean toward retaking the test is that he's applying to UC schools, which will probably be looking at Writing scores (since they're the ones who really forced the changes to the SAT I.)</p>
<p>The multiple choice section is very coachable...there aren't that many things actually tested. I'd say prep for that and take it again.</p>
<p>Just out of curiosity, where does your son go to school, how are his grades and extracurriculars? (feel free to send me a private note if you don't want that out on the forums.)</p>
<p>Thanks - I'll do that!</p>